Use of flags and national coats of arms in trademarks and designs

Is it allowed to use flags in marketing?

You may use flags in marketing goods and services, for example as decoration or to provide information. At the same time, laws and regulations set limits on how flags can be used. The Marketing Control Act prohibits, among other things, misleading marketing. For example, it may be misleading to use a national flag in a way that gives the impression that a product has a different origin than it actually does.

Rules for the use of flags in trademarks and designs

You may also use flags in logos and other visual expressions. It is only when you want to register this as a trademark or design that restrictions apply. It is therefore important to distinguish between the use of a flag as a visual element and the use of a flag as part of a trademark or design you intend to register.

As a general rule, you cannot register a trademark or design that contains a national flag without the consent of the authorities of the country to which the flag belongs.

If you wish to register a trademark or design featuring the Norwegian flag, you must obtain consent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In practice, the ministry very rarely grants such consent.

Made in Norway – Norwegian certification mark for export

Made in Norway is Norway’s official country-of-origin mark, managed by Innovation Norway and registered as trademark no. 330715. The mark was launched in 2024 and can be used by Norwegian export companies to highlight Norwegian origin.

The logo is designed in a visual style that may resemble the Norwegian flag, without actually being a national flag.

Use of the national coat of arms in logos and on goods

The Norwegian coat of arms is more strictly protected than the flag.

In the Royal Decree of 20 May 1927 it is stated:

This means that only government authorities may use the Norwegian coat of arms. This includes the Parliament, the Government and subordinate agencies, the courts, and the Royal Household.

The rules are intended to prevent use that:

• gives the impression of exercising public authority
• misleads about the sender or affiliation
• undermines respect for the national coat of arms

Examples of common unlawful use of the national coat of arms

• mugs, caps, knitwear and other souvenirs for tourists
• football shirts, supporter merchandise and other sports products
• logos or graphic elements on websites and digital services
• other commercial use and branding

Other symbols that cannot be used in trademarks or designs

Some symbols are specifically protected and may neither be used nor registered as trademarks or designs.

This includes, among others, the Red Cross emblem, which is protected under the Geneva Conventions. Its use is reserved for the Red Cross and military medical services. This protection applies to all goods and services in trademark registration.

There is also special protection for flags, emblems, abbreviations, and names of international intergovernmental organizations, for example:

• the UN flag (United Nations)
• the Council of Europe emblem
• the abbreviation WHO (World Health Organization)

Other requirements for registering a trademark

In addition to the rules relating to flags and national coats of arms, a trademark must meet several requirements in order to be registered.

To register a trademark, the mark must:

• have distinctiveness and not merely describe the product
• clearly distinguish itself from other trademarks, so that it cannot be confused